Ah yes tis’ the season for Holidays’ and the mad scramble to get your “to do” lists done. Living here for the past 22 years I can tell you first hand, some things are overlooked by others who don’t know any better. Are you like me and already have your snow tires on or new tires? Did you get your skiis or board tuned? Whether it is the stuffing for the turkey or presents for family and friends; don’t worry I am here to help!

Ready or not the 2013-2014 ski season in the Vail Valley is under way. Opening day may have minimal runs open, though that won’t stop many enthusiasts from making a few turns to get the spider webs off our equipment that has layed dormant for the past 5 months or more in garages and crawl spaces up and down the Valley. Locals have mixed feelings about the snow coming too soon, or some will say it has not come soon enough!

Whatever side of the coin you may be on, I am here to tell you the snow is finally here and it looks to be a promising season. If you are planning to vacation here, let me be the first to welcome you and to tell you “yes you did make the right decision!” Planning all year or longer. Saving your PTO hoping the snow will be here when you arrive. It is hectic to work around your spouses work schedule, kids school breaks etc… All for the glimpse and chance of the best ski vacation you could ever provide for your family. The Mad Scramble, will it all pay off at the end?

Here are some tips that will hopefully make your trip a memorable one.

1. CME or Colorado Mountain Express is the biggest transportation company and has been helping locals and tourists get from the Denver Airport to their destinations for over 25 years. There are a lot of Private transfer companies out there. However, this company is one of the few shared shuttle companies. For the most part in my opinion they offer very affordable, professional, and economical transportation. They have free wifi on all there vehicles, which allows the adults the opportunity to take care of last minute unplanned business to take care of. The kids will not be saying he touched me. No she touched me. Which makes everyone happy. www.coloradomountainexpress.com

2. Before you book your Hotel, make sure you know if it is a true ski in ski out property. If not, don’t worry Vail has a free in town shuttle to get you to your destination. There are many hotels to chose from with a wide variety of price points to help fit everyone’s budget.

3. If you are vacationing with kids, consider that they will not ski all day or snow board all day. After making a few turns, sometimes just 1 run with my daughter (When she was younger) she would say “I am done dad.” As futile as we know it is, after asking, even begging to stay for a couple more runs; the answer never changes with children. So after lugging equipment and child, putting on sun screen etc.. you are heading home before the day even started. LOL

4. Amenities: There are adventure parks on Vail mountain, which have activities such as tubing, mini snow mobiles, and new this year….. the zip line! As a parent it is always helpful to have a back up plan to make sure the kids are having fun too. www.vail.com

5. Dining: There are exceptional restaurants through out the Vail Valley. I will not even begin to try and rate those. Definitely not my forte! I will say that dining out every night while on vacation get’s expensive quick. If you are looking to save a little, relax there are super markets, which can help keep the vacation on track and fun. If you prefer fine dining, fret not my dear fellow, you are but a stones throw in any direction. (call me, I can give you suggestions – Filip – 970-376-3466)

As a local for 22 years and Realtor with Gateway Real Estate I sincerely hope you and your family can benefit from my blog and hope that the Mad Scramble to get here pays off in a rewarding and fun vacation.

Are you ready for Beaver Creek’s opening day? November 27th, 2013, Beaver Creek Mountain will be opening for 2013-2014 ski season. The season is expected to one for the record books with a brand new restaurant, Talons, which will replace Red Tail Camp. Other additions include Beaver Creek Village Improvements, which will make getting to the slopes faster and easier.

As for the events, this year, athletes and spectators alike will migrate to the resort for the Birds of Prey Men’s World Cup and the first annual Nature Valley Ladies World Cup, and Beaver Creek’s famous cookie competition on Opening Day! Finalists will be passing out their cookies and you get to vote on which will be the season’s official cookie of Beaver Creek!

The best place to take advantage of all the festive Beaver Creek happenings is from your own ski home. 133 S. Fairway Drive, a remodeled, six bedroom residence boasts several different guest quarters with space and privacy, making it perfect for multi-family use or corporate getaway. With a private, wooded lot, this classic ski home overlooks the 3rd fairway of the golf course & is conveniently located just minutes from Beaver Creek village and skiing. The home offers an entertainment room with large wet bar, billiards & poker room, private lock off guest quarters & multiple decks. With endless amenities and access to Beaver Creek’s convenient dial-a-ride, enjoying the 2013-2014 ski season will be a breeze!

During a training run at Copper Mountain, Colorado, Vail’s own Lindsay Vonn partially tore her ACL (on her previously injured knee.) Unfortunately it appears this will put a damper on her preparation for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Lewis Kay (Vonn’s personal publicist) said that Vonn will rest for a few days, “then will pursue aggressive physical therapy and will determine the next time she is able to compete after seeing how she responds to the treatment.”

Vail Valley’s Gateway Land Real Estate Company’s listing 308 Bearden Road was featured in an episode of the EPIC program which aired on Destination America on Wednesday, November 20th at 8pm MST. The episode highlighted exquisite log homes and is expected to run again several times throughout the year.

EPIC is a luxury living show that airs on Destination America, a Discovery Networks channel found in 60 million homes in the U.S. and also seen internationally. Each episode features six different locations in separate 7-8 minute segments. EPIC profiles the best of the best in luxury, ingenuity and fun.

The producers of EPIC have lined up some amazing homes for their 2013 season, which began airing in August. EPIC is an international TV show that features interviews with the owners or the designer/architect of the featured home. Gateway Land & Development Real Estate Company will be mentioned in the “thank you” credits at the end of the episode airing November 20th.

To find the next time the episode will air, refer to http://america.discovery.com.

Please call Aubrie Apple with Gateway Real Estate Company for more information on the home at 970-376-5016.

Vail is happy that with the recent snowfall, colder temperatures, and hard work of its mountain operations crews, Vail ski mountain will be opening both Lionshead and Vail Village base areas!

Skiing and riding will be offered from Gondola One, Born Free Express Lift (#8), the Eagle Bahn Gondola, and the Little Eagle Lift (#15) beginning at 9:00am Friday.

Exact terrain is still being finalized and will be announced soon. In the meantime Vail is continuing to make snow and groom the mountain in order to have as much terrain as possible on Opening Day.

Starting at 8:00am Vail will be offering the first skiers and riders burritos and hot chocolate, and Starbucks and Nature Valley will also be handing out Opening Day treats in the lift lines. Also, make sure to stop by the Village to hear the Red Bull DJ playing all day!

If you are interested in places to stay or activities to do when not on the mountain, feel free to email Ashley Smith at ashley@gatewayland.com